THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 116

She—she actually hadn't brought Mr. and Mrs. Hayes to confront her.

Julian's legs nearly gave out beneath him. For a moment, he thought he might faint.

Beside him, Veronica also struggled to keep her composure.

Just three minutes ago, Veronica had been scoffing at Caitlin, mocking her for not being worthy of attending the Hayes family's party.

But now, Caitlin had become an honored guest of the Hayes family.

How was that possible?

Wasn't Caitlin just a small-town nobody?

Veronica's jealousy burned so hot that her eyes turned red.

First it was Alaina.

Now it was the Hayes family...

She simply couldn't understand it—how had this country girl managed to climb her way up, step by step, until she knew all these powerful people?

"Julian?"

When Julian still didn't say a word, Sophie called his name again.

Her voice jolted him from his thoughts. He forced a smile. "No, no, I wasn't waiting for anyone. Sophie, let's go inside."

Sophie nodded.

Julian slipped his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the banquet hall.

Inside, the air buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses.

Julian went through the motions, accepting congratulations with a complicated mix of emotions, but all he could think about was Caitlin.

She hadn't shown up yet. She was probably waiting for the engagement ceremony, planning to burst in just as he slipped the ring onto Sophie's finger.

Dalton frowned, about to say something, but Julian cut him off with clear irritation. "Enough. Just do as I say."

Dalton glanced at Julian, then nodded. "Understood."

At the Hayes family's banquet hall, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes walked in with Caitlin.

Mrs. Hayes beamed at her. "Miss Kensington, March is still in the dressing room changing, so her father and I came out to greet you."

Caitlin's reply was calm. "Mrs. Hayes, you really didn't need to come out just for me. I could have found my way in."

But Mrs. Hayes shook her head quickly. "Nonsense! You're March's greatest benefactor. There's no way we'd let you walk in alone."

She meant it, too. If not for Caitlin, their daughter's life would have been ruined that night.

Everyone knew stories like that happened—even within their own social circle.

And the would-be victim had been the daughter of one of their distant relatives.